January 3, 2025
By Hannah Schendel, Music Director

Exploring the Richness of Scandinavian Music

On Sunday, January 19, 2025 the WSO will explore the richness of Scandinavian classical music, with its sweeping landscapes and deep cultural pride, offers a unique blend of folk traditions, national pride, and emotional depth. In this concert, we’ll explore three works that embody the spirit of Scandinavia—Elfrida Andrée’s Concert Overture in D Major, Jean Sibelius’ Karelia Suite, and Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1. Each composition reveals the rich history and vibrant folk traditions of their homelands.

Concert Overture in D Major by Elfrida Andrée

Born in Visby, Sweden in 1841, Elfrida Andrée was a pioneering figure in Sweden. Andrée fought against barriers that restricted women from enrolling in the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm and in working in churches.

Andrée’s Concert Overture in D Major, is a testament to her musical prowess and rich compositional voice. It blends classical form with the energy and passion of Romanticism, reflecting Andrée’s artistic depth and resilience in the face of societal obstacles.

Karelia Suite by Jean Sibelius

Jean Sibelius, one of Finland’s most beloved composers, is best known for his symphonic works that often reflect the Finnish landscape and national identity. Composed for a student pageant in 1893, the Karelia Suite takes inspiration from the Karelia region, a historically contested area between Sweden and Russia, and a place rich with folk traditions.

The music captures the essence of Finnish folk culture through its vivid and emotive melodies. Each movement of the Karelia Suite highlights a different aspect of Finnish history and folklore, embodying the rustic charm and rugged beauty of the region.

Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 by Edvard Grieg

Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s music is intrinsically linked to his homeland. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 was originally created as incidental music for Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt, which explores themes of self-deception, cultural satire, and the quest for the meaning of life. Peer, the play’s protagonist, embarks on a reckless journey, rejecting love, abandoning family, and seeking adventure across the world—only to discover in the end that the true fulfillment he sought was always at home.

The suite concludes with one of Grieg’s most recognizable works, In the Hall of the Mountain King.

Conclusion

These three works showcase the rich musical heritage of Scandinavia. From Andrée’s triumph over societal obstacles to Sibelius’ celebration of Finnish folk traditions and Grieg’s vivid musical portrayal of Norwegian storytelling, each composer offers a window into the soul of their respective nations. Through their music, we gain insight not only into the landscapes and history of Scandinavia but also into the deep emotions and cultural pride that continue to define the region’s music today.

Concert details:
Click here
January 19, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Free, no ticket required

Note new venue!
Hopkins High School
2400 Royals Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55305